“Ryouma! You finally showed up!” [Wogan]
“Good day. It’s been a week, hasn’t it? I’ve been quite busy with my store.” [Ryouma]
“I’ll get straight to the point. I’m hoping you can take the latrine pit job again.” [Wogan]
Huh? Didn’t those six adventurers from the slum take that job?
“About that… There were indeed a bunch of people who showed up interested, including those 6 adventurers, but we still don’t have enough people. I had the less guilty of Sacchi’s henchmen do this job too, but even with that we still don’t have enough. On top of that, they can’t clean them as well as you do.
I’d love to give jobs to those who need them, but it’s really not good for the guild to just wait for people to come. Besides, you had a hard time 5 months ago too, right? I’m sure you can agree when I say just once of that stinky nightmare is enough! So, since you’ve already cleaned it so nicely once, won’t you clean it again? …Or at least that’s what some hasty guys are saying.
But really, I’m begging you, help us out. We really don’t have enough people.” [Wogan]
Did I clean the pits a little too well? So much so that now they find it difficult to go back to the way they were before?
Well, it is true that the situation five months ago was pretty bad.
“It’s not like I can’t understand. I mean it was really bad before……… Fine. I’ll do it.” [Ryouma]
“Thanks. That’s a load off my back.” [Wogan]
I immediately accepted the job and went to the latrine pits.
When I used the scavenger slimes to their utmost, I was able to clean the place in the blink of an eye.
After that I went back to report the mission’s success and receive my reward, then I went back to my store, where I ordered the scavenger slimes to use their Produce Fertilizer skill to turn the nutrients they got into fertilizer.
I used that fertilizer to nurture the soil, so I could plant my flower and lawn grass seeds. After planting the seeds, I watered them.
“It’s dark already…” [Ryouma]
Cleaning the pits took a lot of time, so the sun was already starting to set.
I did get scolded yesterday about working too hard, so I should probably end the day here.
9th day of the store’s construction.
Right from the morning, I watered the ground that had been planted with flower and lawn grass seeds, then I used the earth magic, Grow, to accelerate their growth. After three hours of casting my spells, a carpet of verdant grass accompanied by beautiful flowers could be seen around the store.
‘Grow’ is a convenient spell, but without enough nutrients and water in the soil, the mana cost will increase and there’s a high chance that the soil will be left dry of nutrients.
But it worked this time around, so that’s that… Next, I should trim the grass that grew a bit too much.
I let the scavenger slimes eat the excess part of the grass, and with that, the surroundings of the store was finally complete.
With the place finally looking like a store, I went ahead and made the signboard.
I painted the wooden board in white, then I wrote the words, Laundry Service Bamboo Forest, on it. Then on its two sides, I drew the image of some forests, while at the bottom, I drew a slime sticking close to the name of the store.
Next, I have to dry this, then give it the waterproof treatment and some garnishing.
While it’s drying, I should work on the miscellaneous stuff, such as the price list of the laundry and some other finishing checks.
After that… I guess all that’s really left is the service and to check on the flow of operations.
Maybe I should invite Jeff-san and the others for the preopening, so we can give the store a test run. Hmm…
Oh, I know! We should do the preopening with the opening party too!
After deciding that, I gathered the bare necessities for opening the store, then I dropped by Serge-san’s before going home.
“Welcome, Ryoumsama.” [Serge]
“Good evening, Serge-san. The store was finally completed today.” [Ryouma]
“Really!? That’s quite fast…” [Serge]
“Some people I knew at the adventurers guild told me that they were looking forward to it, so I put a lot of effort in making the store.
The store’s looking like a proper store now, so I was thinking of gathering my acquaintances for its debut opening. It’s also going to be a test run of sort to make sure that the store can function properly.” [Ryouma]
“The last check, in other words.” [Serge]
“Yes. The real opening will be the day after, so I was thinking of having a party too after the test run. If it’s no trouble, I’d like to extend an invitation to you, Serge-san. Are you available?” [Ryouma]
“Thank you for the invitation, Ryoumsama. I have some errands to run tomorrow, but I should be free for the next two weeks the day after tomorrow. I’ll be available whenever you’re free then.” [Serge]
“Thank you. I’ll check with the others first.” [Ryouma]
“Ryoumsama, do you mind if I take two friends with me.” [Serge]
“Please go ahead. Are you referring to Pioro-san and the guild master?” [Ryouma]
“No, they’re from my company. I did promise to introduce you to some people who can make your job easier. I believe it would be best for you to meet them sooner than later, so they can get used to the job as soon as possible.” [Serge]
“Thank you for your help.” [Ryouma]
Oh, right. We did discuss that. I went and built lodging for the workers, but I actually forgot about them. I can’t tend to the store while working as an adventurer at the same time, so it’s actually really important. I’m really grateful.
After thanking Serge-san again, I left the store.